How to Secure a Mac from Malware, Viruses, and Trojans

We think that no virus can attack our Mac computers as it is extremely secure to use. Though the Mac OS combines a variety of security measures, still online fraudulent activities could take place on your Mac. One such example is the recent Flashback Trojan that had sent shocking waves among the Mac users! Read here to know How to check for the Flashback Trojan in Mac OS X. Here are few tips on how to secure a Mac from Malware, Viruses, and Trojans.

Install an Anti-Virus Software

As soon as we get a new Mac computer, we think of iTunes, Podcasts, and creating an Apple ID. But how many of us are really cautious about installing Anti-virus software on it? Only very few of us do it! This is the first step that we should do once we get a Mac. The Anti-virus software can sometimes fix a lot of issues at the initial stage itself and thereby it can secure a Mac from Malware, Viruses, and Trojans. Read here to know the Mac beginners Guide, How to things on Mac.

Disable Java

Many malware and even the Flashback Trojan had entered Mac computers through the loopholes in the Java modules. Anyhow, the Apple Inc is doing its best to fix those issues and we should incorporate in our Mac systems to overcome the issue. But java modules are not required under normal circumstances and hence you can safely disable it unless you need it for a reason. Here let us learn to disable Java to secure a Mac from Malware, Viruses, and Trojans.

How to Disable Java in Safari Browser?

Step-1:

Launch the Safari browser and go to Preferences and click the Security tab.

Step-2:

Now you can see a list of checkboxes, and disable the checkbox named “Enable Java”.

We are done with disabling Java in your web browser to secure a Mac from Malware, Viruses, and Trojans. But it is still better if you disable it on your Mac level.

How to Disable Java in Mac OS X (System-wide)?

Step-1:

Go to the Applications folder and then the Utility folder. Launch the Application – Java Preferences.

Step-2:

You can find a checkbox named “Enable Applet Plug-in and Web Start Applications”. Disable that checkbox.

Step-3:

You can also find a list of checkboxes starting with a name “Java SE #”. Disable those checkboxes as well.

Disable the Adobe Acrobat Reader

We are well aware that a lot of security-related issues raises due to the Adobe Acrobat Reader. Therefore it is better that you remove it to secure a Mac from Malware, Viruses, and Trojans. You may even ask that how shall I then read the PDF documents? Every Mac OS X has a preview associated with it to view the contents of PDF and hence, you need not worry about deleting the Adobe Acrobat Reader. Here is how you can remove it.

Step-1:

Run the uninstaller App on your Mac computer to remove the Adobe Acrobat Reader from your Mac.

Step-2:

You can also locate the Acrobat plug-in and you can find it here.

/Library/Internet Plug-ins/AdobePDFViewer.plugin

Just remove the plug-in and your Mac is safe now!

Install a Flash Block Plug-in

Almost all the videos and games run with Adobe flash and there are lots of incidents that brought viruses to the Mac computers. Hence it is better to be away from such videos or games. But when you do not install Adobe Flash on your Mac, then there are possibilities that you miss what you need to see sometimes. Hence it is better to go for a Flask block plug-in and it just blocks the flash content only when you need it.

ClickToFlash for the Browser – Safari:

The ClickToFlash is a part of ClickToPlugin which is a lightweight plug-in to block various such components on your Mac. The ClickToFlash just blocks the Flash components to secure a Mac from Malware, Viruses, and Trojans. In order to use it, you need Safari 5.1 or higher versions on Mac OS X 10.6 to 10.11 whereas Safari 5.0.6 or higher on Mac OS X 10.5.

FlashBlock for the Browsers – Chrome, Firefox, and Netscape Browsers:

The FlashBlock is a plug-in that is capable of blocking Flash contents on the browsers such as Chrome, Netscape, and Firefox. It comes as an Add-on and it blocks Macromedia Flash, Shockwave, and Authorware. But in order to have this, you need javascript enabled to secure a Mac from Malware, Viruses, and Trojans.

Update your Mac OS X Apps and Software Regularly

The Apple Inc releases updates every now and then, and it is to make sure that Mac systems are safer to use. We should also update our Mac OS X Apps and the software on a timely basis or as when they are released. You can do it as below to secure a Mac from Malware, Viruses, and Trojans.

Step-1:

Go to the Apple menu and click Software Updates. If you find any updates available, just do it.

Check whether the Anti-Malware list is Enabled

Every OS X by default gets the list if Malware every now and then. All you need to is to check whether such an Anti-Malware list is enabled to secure a Mac from Malware, Viruses, and Trojans. Here is how you can check it.

Step-1:

Go to System Preferences and click Security & Privacy.

Step-2:

Go to the General tab and enable the checkbox named “Automatically Update safe downloads list”.

Check the date that lies between the String tags. It is the date on which the update was made last time.

Step-3d:

Also, you can find the version of the list in between the Integer tags.

Disable the Auto File Open after Downloads

It is very common that the safari like other web browsers opens the downloaded files automatically when it is done. But to add extra security we can disable it as well. Here is how you can do it to secure a Mac from Malware, Viruses, and Trojans. Read here to know How to Record Your PC or Mac Screen for Free.

Step-1:

Go to Safari Preferences and click the tab General.

Step-2:

You can see a checkbox named “Open ‘Safe’ files after downloading”. Just disable it and it is done.

Never Install any Random Software

Sometimes we get pop-up dialogues recommending us to install so and so software. They are usually referred to as random software unless you initiated the installation process. We should be very cautious about such software as they had lead to so many system crashes or viruses in the past. So never ever install such random software on your Mac!

How to Remove any Malware from your Mac?

Though we are cautious enough to protect the Mac from malware and other related infections, sometimes it may enter our system without our knowledge. So here is how you can remove such Malware from your Mac.

Step-1:

Quit the web browser either by pressing Command key + Q or by right-clicking on the browser window and then by clicking the Quit icon.

Step-2:

Open the Downloads folder and investigate whether any undesired file(s) reside there. If yes, then drag them to the trash folder.

Step-3:

Now, do a right click on the trash folder and select “Empty Trash”.

If you are very sure of the Malware, then here is how you can do it.

Step-1:

Note the name of the App that you suspect to be a Malware.

Step-2:

Close the App and Open the Utility folder by Command + Shift +U.

Step-3:

Then Open the Activity Monitor and select All Processes.

Step-4:

Identify the name of the App that you suspect and then Quit it.

Step-5:

Now open Applications folder and identify the App that you recently quit.

Step-6:

Drag that to the Trash folder and then Empty the Trash.

Conclusion- How to Secure a Mac from Malware, Viruses, and Trojans

It is really easy to secure a Mac from Malware, Viruses, and Trojans provided you deploy the right practices. Don’t just let your mind think that Mac systems are always flawless or not attackable. As with every other Platform or OS, Mac is also susceptible to fraudulent activities and hence prevention is the only cure to be safer from such attacks!

Jerold Forney is technology admirer and a computer specialist who is always curious for new technological advancements in the IT industry. With his extensive experience and apprehension of IT industry and technology, He writes after concrete research and analysis with the intention to aid the reader the content full of factual information. Being so ambitious to facilitate the readers, he intermittently tries his hand on the tech-gadgets and services popping frequently in the industry to reduce any ambiguity in his mind related to the project he works, that a huge sign of dedication to his work.

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